Instrumental changes

Two of Athens' new works are going to be premiered at the Tianjin school. He recently composed Five Classical Lyrics, based on classical poetry from the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties chosen by his students, and featuring music drawing inspiration from lesser-known Sichuan folk songs preserved in provincial songbooks from the 1980s.

He believes music carries a unique capacity to foster connection. "There's really nothing that bridges these two countries right now in the same way music can," he said.

He still vividly recalls his time at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Athens said he encountered intense dedication to performance and an unexpected embrace of contemporary composition, which inspired him to compose his own works. Unlike Western music conservatories, where classical repertoires often dominate, Chinese musicians actively sought new works from living composers, creating a vibrant culture of collaboration and innovation.

"The people I met are what really sticks with me," Athens said. Friendships formed in classrooms, concerts, and workshops became as formative as any formal instruction.